Calla lily plant named ‘Tahiti’

ABSTRACT

‘Tahiti’ is a new variety of calla lily having beautiful apricot-orange colored spathes.

Botanical classification: Zantedeschia sprengeri.

Varietal denomination: ‘Tahiti’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of callalily, botanically known as Zantedeschia sprengeri and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name ‘Tahiti’.

‘Tahiti’ was discovered in 1997 and chosen from a selection of seedlingtubers of unknown parentage in Maungaturoto, New Zealand. The first actof asexual reproduction of ‘Tahiti’ by tissue culture was performed in1998 in Auckland, New Zealand. Subsequent asexual reproductions bytissue culture have demonstrated that the combination of characteristicsas herein disclosed for the new cultivar are retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and determined to bebasic characteristics of ‘Tahiti’ which, in combination, distinguishthis calla lily as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. ‘Tahiti’ has a different shaped leaf with fewer leaf maculations than‘Sunglow’ (unpatented), ‘Inspiration’ (unpatented), and ‘Tropica’(unpatented); and

2. ‘Tahiti’ is more apricot-orange colored than ‘Neroli’ (unpatented)and ‘Passionfruit’ (unpatented).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new variety, withthe colors being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type:

FIG. 1 is a close-up photograph of inflorescences of the new variety;

FIG. 2 is a close-up photograph of a single inflorescence of the newvariety; and

FIG. 3 is a close-up photograph of a leaf of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following observations, measurements, and comparisons describeplants grown in New Zealand under conditions which approximate thosegenerally used in horticulture practice. Plants described were 14 weeksfrom planting date of tuber. Color references are made to The R.H.S.Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London, except wheregeneral color terms of ordinary significance are used.

THE PLANT

Size:

Height of the leaf canopy above the soil.—300-700 mm; Average of 500 mm.

Height of top of flowers above the soil.—300-700 mm; Average of 500 mm.

Diameter.—300-550 mm; Average of 500 mm.

Form.—Erect.

Number of inflorescences per tuber size:

Diameter of 3-4 cm.—4-6 flowers.

Diameter of 4-5 cm.—6-10 flowers.

Diameter of 5-6 cm.—10-16 flowers.

Branches:

Character.—Strong.

Color.—147A.

Number.—2-8 per plant.

Leaves:

Size.—Width: 65-130 mm; Average of 110 mm. Length: 200-280 mm; Averageof 240 mm.

Shape.—Ovate to cordate; one-half of leaf is slightly smaller than theother half.

Number per plant.—10-30.

Color.—Upper surface: 147A to 147B. Lower surface: 147B, with 144B to144C veination.

Spotting or mottling.—Description: 20-30 maculations per leaf, rangingfrom 1 mm dots to 12 mm long×1 mm wide lines. Color: Transparent.

Margin.—154B.

Veins.—Configuration: Pinnate. Color: 144B to 144C.

Surface quality.—Leathery.

Petiole:

Length.—200-500 mm; Average of 250 mm.

Color.—144D with striations of 144A.

Roots:

Color.—White.

Branching.—Moderate, average.

THE INFLORESCENCE

Spathe:

Size.—Length: 65-90 mm; Average of 80 mm. Width: 40-60 mm; Average of 55mm.

Color.—Inner surface: Base of spathe is 12D, intensifying to 12A to 12Bat the edge and toward the apex of the spathe. The yellow color has anoverlay of 45C that becomes more intense at the outer edge and towardthe apex of the spathe. Outer surface: Overall color is 23B. Striationsof 144B to 144C run from the top of the peduncle onto the spathe andchange from 12D to a more intense 12B to 12C at the outer edge andtoward the apex of the spathe. The yellow color has an overlay of 45Dbecoming more intensely colored at the outer edge and toward the apex ofthe spathe. One half of the spathe is more strongly colored than theother half of the spathe.

Veins.—Color: Transparent at the base of the spathe, changing to 45C to45D toward the outer edges of the spathe. Configuration: Parallel.

Shape.—Overall: Cupped. Tip: Reflexed. Base: Cylindrical and wideningdistally.

Spadix:

Size.—Length: 30-45 mm; average of 40 mm. Diameter: 4-10 mm.

Color.—Male organs: 7B, with specks of 45D. Female organs: 14A, withspecks of 45D.

Position relative to spathe.—Upright.

Peduncle:

Size.—Length: 250-500 mm; Average of 420 mm. Diameter: 6-10 mm.

Color.—149D with striations of 144B to 144C; slightly mottled at thebase.

Reproductive organs:

Location of female organs.—Basal position of the spadix (lower 40%).

Location of male organs.—Upper position of the spadix (upper 60%).

Perianth.—Conspicuous.

Stamens.—Visible before pollen release.

Number per spadix.—Between 12 to 25.

Pistil.—Length beyond perianth: 0.5 mm. Shape: Dome.

Flowering: Tubers planted in New Zealand begin to produce flowers 85days after planting and continue to flower over a 20-30 day period.

Lastingness: Cut inflorescence last 5-14 days.

Fragrance: None.

Disease resistance: High.

Pest resistance: Moderate.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of calla lily plant named‘Tahiti’ as described and illustrated.